Learning Module 4

THE ELECTRIC CIRCUIT

INTENDED
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:

After completing this

unit, you are
expected1. to:
describe a basic electric circuit.
2. discuss the function of a fuse or circuit breaker.
3. discuss the causes of overcurrent.
4. determine the rating of fuse or circuit breaker that fits
to a given circuit.
5. identify closed, open, and short circuit .
6. measure voltage, current, and resistance using both
analog and digital multimeters.
7. apply Ohm’s law to determine voltage, current, and
resistance in electric circuits.
electric circuit Closed circuit
energy source Open circuit
Conductors Digital multimeter
Insulators Analog multimeter
load Ohm’s law
Control device overcurrent
Protection
device Short circuit
Fuse overloading
Circuit breaker SPST
SPDT
What is an electric circuit?
Electric Circuit is an interconnection of
electrical components in which there is at least
one path for current flow.
Many complete electric circuits contain six
parts:
1. An energy source to provide the voltage
needed to force current (electrons)
through the circuit.
2. Conductors through which the current
can travel.
3. Insulators to confine the current to the
desired paths (conductors, resistors, etc.)
4. A load to control the amount of current
and convert the electric energy taken
from the energy source.
5. A control device, often a switch, to start
and stop the flow of current.
6. A protection device to interrupt the circuit
in case of a circuit malfunction.
 4

5 6
2
3

1
E F1=
1_AMP
X2S1Space
12V_10W
Key
12 V
1. The Voltage Source
AC DC

AC Generator Battery

Solar Cell

DC Generator

Electronic Power Supply

2. Conductors

3. Insulators

Discussed in Learning Module 2

and 3.
4. Load
5. Switches
SPST – Single-Pole Single Throw Switch

Key =
V1J1
Space
battery
bATTERY
switch
12VX1
16 V
SPDT – Single-Pole Double Throw Switch

S1
12V_10W
12V_10W
X1
E Key =F1Space
1_AMP
X2
12 V
Push Button
V1
12 V
S1X2
X1
12V_25W
12V_25W
Key = Space
Relay
Overcurrent Protection Devices

Circuit Breakers Fuse

A fuse is inserted into a circuit to protect the device /
circuit from receiving too much current when shorted.
It protects the wire from excessive current which
results to overheating.

A circuit breaker is the same function. If a surge of

current is evident through a line, the circuit breaker
"breaks" the line, opening the flow of current.

A fuse breaks the circuit only once, then, has to be

replaced.

A circuit breaker serves as a "switch" that closes and

opens the line.
HOW CIRCUIT BREAKERS WORKS?
What is overcurrent?

Overcurrent occurs when the current exceeds the

ampacity of the wire.

What is ampacity?

Ampacity (ampere + capacity) is the maximum

current-carrying capacity of a wire or cable.
Causes of
Overcurrent

1. Short Circuit

2. Overloading
Example You are an electrician on
the job. The electrical blueprint shows
that eight 500-W lamps are to be
installed on the same circuit. The
circuit voltage is 230 V and is
protected by a 20-A circuit breaker. Is
a 20-A circuit large enough to carry
this load?
 20 A

1 Vpk
2X6U2
12
X3X2V
230 V X4 412V1
121kHz
3V 12V
U1
12
1VV
X1
X5
12 V
X80° X7

20 A

Since the total current in the circuit is 17.39 A, therefore, a 20-A

circuit breaker or fuse is large enough to carry the load.
Example If the load in the previous
example is a continuous load, is the
20-A circuit breaker can carry the
load. Note that a continuous-use
circuit can be loaded only 80% of its
rating.

Solution:
The 20-A circuit breaker can carry only
16 A (80% of 20 A) since the load is
continuous. Since the current in the circuit
is 17.39 A, the circuit breaker cannot carry
this load.
Circuit Components and Symbols
Device Symbol

Lamp (light
bulb) X1
12 V

Cell or
battery
12V1
V

Fuse U1
0.5_AMP
 Circuit
Breaker
Single-
Pole-Single
Throw
(SPST)
Key =J1
Space

Switch Key =J2

Space
 Push
Button

Relay
Single-Pole
Double-
Throw
(SPDT)
Switch
Conductor
Resistor R

1kΩ
Inductor L
1mH

Capacitor C

1µF

Ground
 switch

battery
Key J1
=V
V1 Space
bATTERY
16
12 X1
V
 Closed, Open and Short Circuit
Closed Circuit

A closed circuit is a circuit in which the

current has a complete path.

Key J1
=V
V1 Space
battery
bATTERY
switch
16
12 X1
V
Open Circuit
When the current path is broken so that
current cannot flow, the circuit is called
an open circuit.

Key =
V1J1
Space
battery
bATTERY
switch
12VX1
16 V
Short Circuit

A short circuit is a zero or abnormally low

resistance between two points. It is
usually an inadvertent condition.

KeyJ1
= Space
12 VX1 12 VV1
Basic Circuit Measurement
Three common electrical quantities are
voltage, current, and resistance. These
quantities are measured by voltmeter,
ammeter, and ohmmeter. They are
usually put into one instrument called
multimeter, multitester, or VOm (voltmeter,
ohmmeter, and milliammeter). Two types
of multitester are digital and analog.
Difference Between Open Circuit and Short
Circuit

In an open circuit, it is possible to have a voltage depending one the

network; the current is zero because it is an open circuit so definitely
current cannot flow through it; the resistance is infinite.

In a closed circuit, the voltage is equal to zero; current is possible to

flow depending on the network; resistance is equal to zero. But in
real circuit, there is a certain amount of resistance in the short circuit
line but that resistance is nearly equal to zero.
Meter Symbols
How to Measure Current with an
Ammeter

The ammeter is connected in series with

the load.

E R
60ohm
12V

Circuit in which the current is to be measured

a. Open the circuit either between the
resistor and the negative terminal or
between the resistor and the positive
terminal of source.

E R
60ohm
12V
(b) Install the ammeter with polarity as shown
(negative to negative – positive to positive)

+ -
0.200 A

E R
60ohm
12V
How to Measure Voltage with a Voltmeter

To measure voltage, connect the voltmeter

across the component for which the
voltage is to be found. Such a connection
is a parallel connection. The negative
terminal of the meter must be connected
to the negative side of the circuit and the
positive terminal of the meter to the
positive side of the circuit.
How to Measure Resistance with an
Ohmmeter

To measure resistance, connect the

ohmmeter across the resistor. The resistor
must be removed or disconnected from the
source.
XMM1

E R R
60ohm 60ohm
12V

(a) Disconnect the resistor from the (b) Measure the

resistance. source to avoid damage to the
(polarity is not important.)
meter and/or incorrect measurement.
The Analog Multitester
How to read the measurements in an
analog multitester.
1. Select what quantity is to be
measured by using the rotary switch.

Reminder: The rotary selector

switch below selects what quantity
is to be measured. If you are
measuring a voltage of 8 V it must
be pointed to the 10-V range. THE
RANGE SHOULD BE HIGHER
THAN THE EXPECTED VALUE OF
VOLTAGE, CURRENT, OR
1.Connect the meter as discussed in 4.4
2.The measured value of the electrical
quantity can be read from the needle.
Using the scales below (Figure 4.3) , if
you are measuring DC voltage and
selector switch placed at 50-V range,
the DC voltage will read 22 V.

Figure 4.3
EXAMPLE
In the figure below, find the correct
reading if the selector is placed at the
following:
DC 10V range
DC 50V range
DC 25mA range
AC 10V range
Solution:

DC 10V range: 4.4V (read 0-10 scale directly)

DC 50V range: 22V (read 0-50 scale directly)
DC 25mA range: 11mA (read 0-250 and
divide by 10)
AC 10V range: 4.45V (use the red scale,
reading 0-10)
Ohm’s Law DC circuit, German
For a simple
physicist George Simon Ohm has
observed another relationship related
to the resistance of an object. He noted
that for a fixed load in a circuit at a
constant temperature, when voltage is
increased the current reading across
the load also is increased.
Consequently, as the voltage is lowered
across the load, current reading is also
lowered.
Therefore, he arrived at the conclusion that
current is directly proportional to voltage.
And when the ratio between voltage and
current was computed, it has been found out
that it is approximately equal to the
resistance of the load. Thus, Ohm’s Law
states that: “The ratio between voltage and
current is always constant and is equal to
the resistance of the load. (At a constant
temperature!)
where:
I = current in amperes, A
V = voltage in volts, V
R = resistance in ohms, 

Other Ohm’s Law Formulas

Find the unknown quantities:

I
1.

V R
600Ω
12 V

Solution:
 I = 200 mA
2.

V 0Ω
R
12 V

Solution:

3. I = 20 mA

12 V
V R
1kΩ

V =𝐼𝑅=( 2 0 mA ) (1 k  )=20 V
EXAMPLE

The difference of potential between the

terminals of an electric heater is 110 V
when there is a current of 8 A in the heater.
What current will be maintained on the
heater if the difference of potential is
increased to 180 V?
Solution:


13.09 A
EXAMPLE

A 6-V battery is connected for 3 hours to a rheostat and

a current of 147 mA is noted. (a) What is the
resistance of the rheostat? (b) What charge is take
form the battery?

Solution:
(a) R = V/I = 40.8 
(b) Q = It
= (147 mC/s)(3 hours x (3600 sec)/(1 hr)
= 1.59 x 103 C